All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
Union women and feminist allies take the campaign for the adoption of an International Labour Organisation’s Convention to the 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Stop gender-based violence in the world of work!
Michelle Codrington-Rogers, Junior Vice-President of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)/UK, is currently an EI delegate to the 63rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW63). Follow the event through the eyes of teacher unionist on her blog. (https://mcn--nasuwt.blogspot.com/?m=1)
The #CSW63 Diaries
Following the findings of a major report on academic freedom in the United Kingdom, the University and College Union has submitted an allegation to the Joint International Labour Organisation/UNESCO Committee of Experts regarding the non-compliance of the UK government's with the 1997 UNESCO Recommendation on the status of higher education...
UK: Union deplores weak legal protection of academic freedom
The Kurdistan Teachers' Union (KTU) issued a distress call about the deplorable situation of teachers in the public education system, which continues to deteriorate in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Iraq: The region and education system of Kurdistan pass into oblivion
Although they welcome the governmental measures taken following the terrorist attacks against teachers and schools in Burkina Faso, teacher trade unionists call on the public authorities to strengthen and improve these measures so as to be able to provide quality education under safe conditions.
Burkina Faso: Unions call for stronger, sustained governmental measures to protect students and teachers from terrorist attacks
Until recently, women in Latin America had achieved unprecedented levels of political participation with the election of women presidents in several countries in the region. Dilma Rousseff (2011–2016), Cristina Kirchner (2007–2015) and Michelle Bachelet (2006–2010 and 2014–2018) all served two terms as elected presidents in Brazil, Argentina and Chile, respectively....
#IWD2019 #Education Voices: “The Political Participation of Women and Their Prominent Role in Brazil’s Trade Union Movement”, by Fátima da Silva.
Education trade unionists from around the world meet in Ankara on 6 and 7 March for the “Education Trade Unions, Rights, Freedoms and Governments International Symposium”, in solidarity with embattled Turkish education unionists struggling for the respect of their rights, their profession and for education as a whole.
Education unions join in solidarity with Turkish teachers
When I first joined the union, what attracted me was not so much the suggestion that the union was there to protect me if something should happen to me in my professional life. My motivation was more that the union was a place where I could make things happen together...
#IWD2019 #Education Voices : “It All Starts With Good Teachers: Women’s Leadership in Education & in Unions”, by Johanna Jaara Åstrand
Fruitful negotiations between public authorities and public service trade unions, including education unions affiliated to Education International, have led to salary increase of 8 % for public workers.
Germany: A collective agreement with an 8 % salary increase for public workers
At their Federal conference, Australian Education Union’ leaders and activists welcomed the commitment made by the Labour party to greatly increase funding for public education, and reaffirmed their determination to ensure that the upcoming federal election focus on education issues.
Australia: education union and activists will make the 2019 federal election the ‘education election’
Student mobilisation on climate change is a strong call on democracy to deliver for the planet. It is a rejection of “climate deniers”, but also of “business as usual.” Its ultimate success will depend on expanding the mobilisation while graduating from protest to politics, including by linking lower carbon emissions...
"Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards
Despite many obstacles, Education International’s Haitian affiliates are jointly campaigning for quality public education and the establishment of a dialogue with the Minister of Education. They are also supporting a statute for teachers in the private sector.
Haiti: trade union front for quality public education, social dialogue and a statute for teachers in the private sector
Confronted with the Government’s failure to sign a collective bargaining agreement and increase teachers' salary in the upcoming national budget, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union has given notice of industrial action beginning on 20 May.
Uganda: education union urges public authorities to keep promise of improved working and living conditions
An international delegation has joined the education union ACT to express its solidarity with teacher unionists, profiled and harassed by the government in contravention of commonly agreed human rights.
Philippines: International solidarity against teacher harassment
Education International has sent a protest letter to the government of Iran deploring the arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention of Mokhtar Asadi, teacher and member of the Iranian Teacher Trade Association in the province of Kurdistan.
Iran: Free teacher unionist detained in Kurdistan province!
Education International congratulates Felisa Tibbitts for her nomination as UNESCO Chair in Human Rights in Higher Education.
Felisa Tibbitts appointed UNESCO Chair in Human Rights in Higher Education
The Japan Teachers’ Union contributes to achieving gender-related rights through its programmes and policies focused on the rights of female educators. A recent JTU research, for example, has shown how terms of employment are interlinked with reproductive health and childcare challenges.
“Evidence-based labour activities for gender equality and the rights to gender and reproductive health”, by Yoshiko Norimatsu.
Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour have worked together for over 20 years since the PSI and EI first launched the ‘Pay Equity Now!’ campaign. Here they discuss their recent book.
“Collective bargaining and gender equality: a testament to women trade unionists”, by Jane Pillinger and Nora Wintour